Council authorizes remediation work at former vacuum oil refinery site; Exxon named as responsible party

City council committees approved authorizations for remedial investigation and implementation of a remedial action work plan at the former vacuum oil refinery site and discussed oversight and community engagement.

Council advanced a bond ordinance appropriating funds for a remedial investigation and for work to implement the remedial action plan for contamination at the former vacuum oil refinery site. Council member Mitch Gruber asked whether Exxon, identified as the legacy polluter, would pay for the cleanup. Corporation Counsel confirmed that a prior judgment assigned responsibility to Exxon and that the city has negotiated with outside counsel to coordinate cleanup work on city parcels while Exxon funds remediation on the former owner parcels.

Council members asked about contractual protections and timeline enforcement to keep the responsible party on a firm schedule; Corporation Counsel said the principal remaining risk is timing and the city’s role is to push for a prompt remediation schedule. A councilor also asked for specifics about community engagement and requested that staff provide dates and plans for upcoming community meetings related to the cleanup. Staff said there are no currently planned public meetings but agreed to provide written communications about project start and community notifications.

The relevant motions to authorize funding and agreements were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. Council directed staff to return details in writing on the remediation timeline and planned community outreach.